overhead

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the expense of maintaining property (e.g., paying property taxes and utilities and insurance); it does not include depreciation or the cost of financing or income taxes
  2. noun (computer science) the processing time required by a device prior to the execution of a command
  3. noun (computer science) the disk space required for information that is not data but is used for location and timing

Etymology

From Middle English owerheved, over-hed, over hede (adverb), from Old English oferhēafod (adverb), equivalent to over- + head. Compare German Low German overhoopt, överhoopt, German überhaupt. Piecewise doublet of overchief.

In classic literature

Synonyms

operating expense, operating cost, budget items

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